The free version is slightly crippled in terms of the size of the board you can design but is perfectly fine for most hobbyist use.

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The free version is slightly crippled in terms of the size of the board you can design but is perfectly fine for most hobbyist use. In fact, it's the hobbyist industry standard and there are a wealth of resources from instructions to example parts and boards. (For example most SparkFun open hardware boards come with EagleCAD layout and schematics.)

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===Next scheduled workshop===

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Following a very successful and popular Eagle CAD workshop back in June 2009, we'll be having some in December 2010. Come to one or any: no commitment, no charge (though a small donation to Noisebridge is in excellent taste)

[http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-custom-library-part-in-Eagle-CAD-too/ An instructable on making your own components.]

More info, tutorials, etc. from the SWARM wiki: http://wiki.orbswarm.com/index.php?title=The_PC_Board_Page

More info, tutorials, etc. from the SWARM wiki: http://wiki.orbswarm.com/index.php?title=The_PC_Board_Page

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====List of EacgleCAD "gotchas"====

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===List of EagleCAD "gotchas"===

I promised I would post my list of "gotchas;" hope this helps avoid some irritation! [[User:Jtfoote|Jtfoote]] 23:38, 27 April 2009 (PDT)

I promised I would post my list of "gotchas;" hope this helps avoid some irritation! [[User:Jtfoote|Jtfoote]] 23:38, 27 April 2009 (PDT)

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# "Cut" (scissor icon) is really "copy to paste buffer" and only works on groups! Use "copy" for single items. In V5, use shift-right-click or menu item to copy/move groups.

# "Cut" (scissor icon) is really "copy to paste buffer" and only works on groups! Use "copy" for single items. In V5, use shift-right-click or menu item to copy/move groups.

# Pay attention to messages in the status bar, they are often helpful. For example when trying to select things on top of each other, clicking will cycle through each and the status bar will tell you how to select the one you want.

# Pay attention to messages in the status bar, they are often helpful. For example when trying to select things on top of each other, clicking will cycle through each and the status bar will tell you how to select the one you want.

* [http://www.goldphoenixpcb.biz/ Gold Phoenix]: cheapest, longer turn-around (sent from China), fine quality, no charge for "panelization," can submit multiple boards for one run. SparkFun uses them; so could we, if we want to combine orders. They don't have web upload; you email your gerbers to some dude, but it worked great for me.

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* [http://www.protoexpress.com Sierra Proto Express]: I found this best combination of price/turn around time for small orders and prototypes, and they're local (Sunnyvale). Silkscreen was a little smeary if that bugs you; still perfectly readable.

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* Advanced Circuits 4pcb.com (same as 33each.com and others) Good quality, slick marketing, more expensive than they seem (not-well-advertised setup charges and minimums). Avoid for small runs, but definitely use their free gerber file check site: http://www.freedfm.com/

* Sierra Proto Express: I found this best combination of price/turn around time for small orders and prototypes

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I have had good luck with both Sunstone Circuits (http://www.sunstone.com/) and Advanced Circuits (http://www.4pcb.com/). My order sizes have been 2, 100, and 350 boards.

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* 4pcb.com (same as 33each.com and others) Good quality, slick marketing, more expensive than they seem (not-well-adevertised setup charges and minimums). Avoid, but definitely use their free DFM check

The free version is slightly crippled in terms of the size of the board you can design but is perfectly fine for most hobbyist use. In fact, it's the hobbyist industry standard and there are a wealth of resources from instructions to example parts and boards. (For example most SparkFun open hardware boards come with EagleCAD layout and schematics.)

Next scheduled workshop

Following a very successful and popular Eagle CAD workshop back in June 2009, we'll be having some in December 2010. Come to one or any: no commitment, no charge (though a small donation to Noisebridge is in excellent taste)

List of EagleCAD "gotchas"

I promised I would post my list of "gotchas;" hope this helps avoid some irritation! Jtfoote 23:38, 27 April 2009 (PDT)

IF BOARD AND SCHEMATIC GET OUT OF SYNC, YOU ARE SCREWED. This can happen if updates on the schematic don't make it to the board. To avoid this, always keep board file open when editing schematic, and vice versa! Use "rip up" instead of "delete" on the board. DRC will tell you when you are not in sync, otherwise you won't know. Use it often, and save often.

"Cut" (scissor icon) is really "copy to paste buffer" and only works on groups! Use "copy" for single items. In V5, use shift-right-click or menu item to copy/move groups.

Pay attention to messages in the status bar, they are often helpful. For example when trying to select things on top of each other, clicking will cycle through each and the status bar will tell you how to select the one you want.

American Circuit Technology (http://www.act-cw.com/) - Quick turn-turns with cost effective pricing. Great customer service. Provides great support articles as well.

Gold Phoenix: cheapest, longer turn-around (sent from China), fine quality, no charge for "panelization," can submit multiple boards for one run. SparkFun uses them; so could we, if we want to combine orders. They don't have web upload; you email your gerbers to some dude, but it worked great for me.

Sierra Proto Express: I found this best combination of price/turn around time for small orders and prototypes, and they're local (Sunnyvale). Silkscreen was a little smeary if that bugs you; still perfectly readable.

Advanced Circuits 4pcb.com (same as 33each.com and others) Good quality, slick marketing, more expensive than they seem (not-well-advertised setup charges and minimums). Avoid for small runs, but definitely use their free gerber file check site: http://www.freedfm.com/